UPDATE: Man arrested in purse snatching case
Brooklyn Center Police have arrested a man for stealing a purse from a woman while she suffered a medical emergency at a laundromat.

Police say they arrested 21 year old Cordero Akeem Lewis at his Brooklyn Park home Friday evening on charges of misdemeanor theft. Police say additional charges are pending.
Officers also recovered the woman's cell phone during the arrest and returned it to her family.

The incident leading to the arrest happened on October 13th at a laundromat.

After becoming ill, the woman died the next day.

An emotional plea from the woman's daughter for help locating the purse garnered wide attention on Facebook. She has since offered thanks to those who provided support in the days following the incident.

Brooklyn Center Police say they appreciate those who assisted in this investigation and no longer need any additional information on the suspect’s identity.

12 News Staff

Brooklyn Center police are looking for a thief who snatched a woman's purse after she got sick and lost consciousness. She died the next day.

Kimberly Elgren–Rheault loved spending time with her family. She also liked to garden, bird watch and was an avid animal lover. Sadly she won't get to do those things again. She died in sleep at the age of 50, at her Brooklyn Center home Wednesday night.

Her family says she suffered from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, making it hard for her to leave the house.
But on Tuesday afternoon, she went to a laundromat in Brooklyn Center. That's where she got sick and passed out.

Instead of helping, someone took advantage of the situation and stole her purse.

"There wasn't any force used, there wasn't any type of assault or robbery, he just snatched the purse and left," Brooklyn Center Police Commander Rick Gabler said. "It's a tragedy because someone is obviously suffering from a medical emergency and you'd like to think that you'd be offering help to that person."

Kim's family is on a mission to find the purse. It's not because of the money or credit cards inside, but there are other items that are priceless. Her cell phone contains photos from her 50th birthday party and pictures of grandchildren. There's also a key chain from a best friend who is also deceased.

Since Kim's family posted a message on Facebook asking the thief to return the purse, they've gotten emails from all over the world.

The Brooklyn Center Crime Stoppers is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest. If you have any information please call police.

Sonya Goins, reporting
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